Los Angeles has kicked off a week of celebrations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the city’s host committee organizing fan festivals, watch parties, retail pop-ups, and expanded transit services across the region. The festivities began June 9 ahead of the United States’ opening match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Friday.
The central public gathering will be the FIFA Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, running Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $10, with children 12 and under admitted free. The event features live match broadcasts, international food vendors, and musical performances by Steve Aoki, Normani, Deorro, Sickick, Los Lobos, Capital Cities, and DJ Ravidrums, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The week opens Tuesday with an Official Kickoff Party at the Coliseum’s 1923 Club Rooftop Deck. On Wednesday, the FIFA Countdown Concert takes place at Crypto.com Arena, featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer, Davido, and Ava Max as part of a synchronized celebration with Toronto and Mexico City. On Thursday, Adidas launches its “Home of Soccer” activation at BMO Stadium with a free watch party for the Mexico vs. South Africa opener.
Official World Cup retail pop-ups are opening in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Torrance, selling official jerseys, apparel, and memorabilia through July 31. Ten designated Fan Zones will operate throughout the tournament at locations including the Original Farmers Market, Union Station, Venice Beach, and the Fairplex in Pomona.
LA County Parks is hosting five free soccer watch parties across the county, beginning an hour before kickoff with youth soccer clinics, family-friendly games, and refreshments. Free regional watch parties are also scheduled at Ovation Hollywood, Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica Place, the Autry Museum in Griffith Park, and community parks in Carson, Culver City, and Duarte.
Metro and regional transit providers are expanding bus service to SoFi Stadium from 15 locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties, including Union Station, Crenshaw Metro Station, and LAX/Metro Transit Center, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles. The transportation expansion aims to reduce congestion around Inglewood on match days and connect fans from across the region to events.
